Format Extra Storage for CCwGTV

[Sarsho]

I read the information on the Chromecast Help Center page to Free up Storage on a Chromecast with Google TV

about how to expand storage with the use of a usb-C hub. I purchased a Belkin 4-in1 Multiport Adapter Model AVC006BTSGY with pass-through power port. I did have to go with a high output charge adapter (3.0 A) to compensate for the adapters power use. The CCwGTV device works just fine connected like this as expected. But when I insert a usb-A 3.0 drive into the adapter the CCwGTV reports it in Settings/System/Storage under the heading of Removable Storage that the "{usb drive name} is safely ejected".  I have two usb devices I'm trying, one I full formatted exFAT (from Windows 10) and is clean with 3.74GB and the other is 64GB, probably also exFAT but not formatted. Both of these devices get the same message.

The instructions at the support page say that when the storage device is inserted in the hub the CCwGTV will prompt to format the storage device, but that does not happen. 

Is there a limit to size of the storage device, or has to be in a specific format (like FAT32) first before it can even be read? Are there any other reasons this is not working?

[Sarsho]

Ok, so I answer my own question and found after posting that the usb format has to FAT32. 

So now the CCwGTV has accepted the usb device and I formatted it. It wanted to move apps and files but it fails to do that. I made sure the total file size is smaller than the usb device but that did not help.

How does this storage work anyway? Does the CCwGTV just see both internal and external as one folder, or is there some hierarchy? There does not seem to be a way to manually move apps or files between internal and external storage.

[djtetei · Accepted solution]

You have to enable the Developer options on the Chromecast with Google TV. Go to Settings > System > About and tap on Android TV OS build 7 times to turn on developer options. Once it’s enabled, we can proceed with the setup.

Use a Drive as Device Storage

Go to Settings > System > Developer options,

Scroll down and look for Force allow apps on external. Enable the feature.

Now go to Settings > System > Storage and select the drive you wish to use as device storage.

Click on Erase & format as device storage.

Confirm the action by clicking on the Format button in the next window.

This will take some time, depending on the speed and capacity of the drive. 

You’ll be asked to move your data to the storage device when the format process is complete. Click on Move now or Move later as per your choice. 

You can now move apps to the newly added storage by following these steps. 

 Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.

Select the app you wish to move and click on Storage used.

Change it to the newly added drive. 

In this scenario your USB drive will be seen as an internal storage.

[Sarsho]

So this did work to access and be able to move apps to the external storage. Did not resolve the problem I have with the function of the Sling app (was hoping more storage would help with buffering and app freeze), but I can now install more apps for all my services without doing the app dance.

[Jeran]

Hey there Sarsho,

I'm glad to hear that you were able to add more storage to your Chromecast with Google TV successfully. As for the Sling app having issues, it may be worth it to clear out the app data, uninstall the app, or even reach out the Sling app support if it's the only app experiencing this buffering and freezing issues.

Best regards,
Jeran

[Sarsho]

Hi thanks for the recommendations for trying to get Sling to work better. I have done all those things, it comes down to the app not working well. I did submit a claim with Sling, they did not give much hope unless many many people complain. I was wondering if anyone here knows how to get Google involved? I understand that Google is pushing TV hard and paying top dollar to these services like Sling so they can sell more CCwGTV or other TV devices. I should hope Google is interested in making sure these services work well to sell more devices.

[Jeran]

What I would recommend if you want Google to notice the issues with Sling is to submit feedback via Google TV. While Google won't directly respond back to the feedback, it is the best way to let Google know what you'd like to see fixed or changed. 

Best regards,

Jeran

[Sarsho]

Thank you Jeran, I that is the info I was looking for, I will do that.

[Jeran]

Of course! In the meantime, did you have any other questions or concerns that we can address?

Thank you,

Jeran

[Sarsho]

Well, as long as you are asking.

While I was looking for the USB-C adapter I saw that some come with a LAN connection, as well as card readers and HDMI ports. If one of these devices were used, would it be possible to get a wired internet connection to the CCwGTV device?

[djtetei]

Yes, you will be able to use a wired LAN connection. All you need to do is get a USB-C powered Hub with ethernet port.

[Sarsho]

More good news. I wonder why Google does not include this information with the product tech sheets. 

Thank you everyone for the help and info. Hope you all have a great day.

[djtetei]

They are lazy.

I too wish they would have been more thorough in providing technical specifications and freedom of settings.

By the way, if you choose to expand with a USB-C powered HUB, you can also connect a high quality audio DAC with USB audio input to the Hub in order to get high quality audio output, up to 96 khz / 24 bit. That's the way I use it to route the sound to my audio system (2 x 15 inch main speakers and 2 x 18 inch subwoofers).

[Jeran]

Hey there!

It looks like djtetei was able to help out Sarsho, and it's been a few days, so I'm locking the thread. As always, feel free to make a new thread if you have any more questions or concerns.

Thank you for your help, djtetei!

Best regards,
Jeran